Design Engineer
What do Design Engineers do?
Design engineers are technically specialised engineers who design structures, systems and components across nuclear facilities. Design engineers are often split into sub categories such as mechanical, electrical, system and more. Design engineers are crucial for understanding the engineering challenges of creating nuclear power stations.
Typical duties and responsibilities of a Design Engineer
- Think of creative solutions to engineering problems and generate concept designs.
- Design structures, systems and components with engineering calculations and software.
- Generate detailed designs and engineering drawings for technicians and machine operators.
- Creating assembly and disassembly procedures in accordance with engineering standards.
- Analyse engineering projects and identify areas of improvements.
- Collaborate with interested parties on the design stages of a product.
Skills and knowledge required to be a Design Engineer
- Very good understanding of engineering principles in a discipline such as mechanical, electrical or systems.
- Knowledge of the product life cycle.
- Proficiency in basic IT and Engineering software such as CAD, FEA and CFD.
- Great leadership and team working skills.
- Good analytical thinker.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
How do I become a Design Engineer?
Becoming a design engineer requires sufficient qualifications and or work experience. The routes to becoming a design engineer are completing an engineering degree, apprenticeship or work experience.
Apprenticeship
Apprenticeships will last between 3-5 years with various levels of training (ranging from level 3-6). Apprenticeships start at 16 but it is recommended to do A Levels, T Levels, BTECs or other qualifications to build your CV and chances of getting an apprenticeship.
University
University will require A Levels or BTECs to enrol on an engineering degree. You can enrol on a university course at any stage of your career and even do a placement in industry in years 2 or 3. A degree is required to get chartership status which will boost your chances of getting promoted to senior roles.
